Ali and Norton fought three times during their careers. Norton won the first bout, while Ali took the next two. But controversy surrounded Ali's victories, with many believing Norton deserved the wins.
Ali didn't shy away from acknowledging Norton's dominance. He said, "Kenny's style is too difficult for me. I can't beat him, and I sure don't want to fight him again." After their third fight at Yankee Stadium, Ali confessed, "I honestly thought he beat me in Yankee Stadium, but the judges gave it to me, and I'm grateful to them."
George Foreman, another heavyweight great, had no trouble with Norton. In 1974, Foreman knocked out Norton in the second round, keeping his heavyweight titles.
Later, after Foreman lost his belts to Ali and retired for a decade, Ali made an unusual request. He called Foreman, praised him for about twenty minutes, and then asked for a favor.
"George, would you do me a favour? Please come back and beat Ken Norton and fight him for me. I can't beat him. George, you can, he's afraid of you. I'll let you use my training camp and everything but please come back and beat him for me."
Ali's career spanned 61 fights, facing notable opponents like Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and Larry Holmes. He became the undisputed champion twice. But Norton remained the one puzzle he couldn't solve.
Foreman didn't immediately take up Ali's offer. He stayed retired for ten years before making a comeback in 1987. His return to the ring culminated in a historic moment when he knocked out Michael Moorer in the tenth round. Foreman won the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles, becoming the oldest heavyweight champion ever.
Ali's admission about Norton shows that even the greatest fighters have their kryptonite. It's a reminder of the complexity and unpredictability of boxing, where styles make fights and even legends can meet their match.